Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District

Field Peppergrass (Field Pepperweed)
Lepidium campestre
Mustard family (Brassicaceae)
Blooms May - June

The non-native (European) Field Peppergrass is common in our area. It prefers full sun and a slightly moist to slightly dry loamy soil. Habitats include pastures, areas along roadsides and railroads, grassy banks and waste places. It is a winter annual (or biennial) that becomes 1-2' tall, branching at the base and near the apex where the flowers occur. The alternate leaves are up to 3" long and ¾" across. Each stem terminates in a raceme of white flowers. The flowers are in bloom toward the apex of the raceme, while the seedpods (silicles) develop below. Each flower is about 1/8" long with 4 white petals and 4 green or purplish green sepals. Each seedpod is about ¼" long, oval-shaped and somewhat flattened.

Field Peppergrass along Minkler Road May 4, 2015

Field Peppergrass at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve May 22, 2016

Field Peppergrass along Minkler Road May 4, 2015 (stem leaves)

Field Peppergrass at Riverfront Park in Yorkville May 10, 2015 (basal leaves)

Field Peppergrass along Minkler Road May 12, 2015 (with seedpods)

Field Peppergrass along Minkler Road July 1, 2012 (after seeding)

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